Lake Trout

Go lake trout fishing on Lake Huron - check out this untapped opportunity that is open year-round!

• Nearshore water is very cold and allows fish to come in (or stay in) shallow.
• Fish sometimes can be found in as little as 30 feet of water - small boats could head out.

Steelhead

Head to the west coast of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula for great places to fish for steelhead. Check out the Grand River below 6^th Street Dam (in Grand Rapids), Rogue River downstream of Rockford Dam (in Rockford), or the Flat River below King Mill Dam (in Lowell).

Or you could visit the southeast corner of the state and try the Clinton and Huron rivers. There are numerous public parks with trails that access those rivers in Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights and Utica.

For all these locations, the possession season opens on the last Saturday in April. 

• Use spawn, crankbaits or spinners.
• Check the Michigan Fishing Guide for fishing season/possession season specifics.

Brown Trout

For an excellent brown trout opportunity, check out Portage Creek in Kalamazoo County. This is a type 4 stream; possession season opens on the last Saturday in April. 

• Use spinners or flies until the possession season opens, then you could switch to worms.

Statewide Trout Opener - Last Saturday in April

In addition to the above opportunities, you can find great trout fishing statewide. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Southern Upper Peninsula - Fox River
• Northeastern Lower Peninsula - Au Sable River
• Northwestern Lower Peninsula - Pine River
• Southwestern Lower Peninsula - Rogue River
• Southeastern Lower Peninsula - Paint Creek
• Western Upper Peninsula - Otter River